Side frame



2 sheets-sheet 1' D. M. LIGHT S-IDE FRAME Filed Jag. 2:5, 1939 Nov. 19, 1940.

. INVENTOR U01/dll? Z @/Z/Z ATTORNEY.

D. M. LIGHT SIDE FRAME Nov. 19, 19441 Filed Ja.n. 23. 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l INVENTOR. lkzz/d/Ulg/ZZ, BY

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 19, 1940 UNITED sTATi-:s

PATENT OFFICE SIDE FRAME tion of New Jersey Application January 23, 1939, .Serial No. 252,250

14 Claims.

My invention relates to side frames for railway car trucks and more particularly to such a form of frame generally designated truss type and comprising a tension member, a compression l member and spaced columns integrally formed therewith.

In the conventional and other well known types of such side frames, the common practice is to provide an opening between the columns for insertion of the end of the associated bolster, said opening usually having a wider dimension at its lower portion to permit the insertion of said bolster end and, thereafter, the raising of said bolster end into the narrower portion of said 15 opening and insertion of a spring group thereunder.

In a type of quick wheel change truck such as is described in my co-pending application bearing Serial No. 178,230, iiled in the United States go Patent Ofllce December 6, 1937, it is possible to dispense with the widened portion at the bottom of the bolster opening between the columns and this makes it possible to avail of the space to strengthen the truss structure in a manner otherwise impossible.

The problem of strengthening the truss structure at the juncture of the columns with the tension member has commonly been complicated by the necessity for widening the tension member in the vicinity of the columns and between them to accommodate the spring grouping which supports the bolster end.

I have devised a novel form of truss structure for a truss type side frame which is particularly suitable for such types of quick wheel change trucks as described in my above mentioned co.- pending application. My novel structure is of such form as to greatly strengthen the truss and at the same time enable the production of a frame o or somewhat lighter weight than would otherwise be possible due principally to the manner of connection between said columns and the tension member of the frame.

An object of my invention is to devise a truss type side frame having a novel form of reinforcement at the juncture of each column with the tension member.

Another object of my invention is to devise a truss type side frame having columns whose web portions are angled adjacent their lower ends to join with the top chord of the tension member adjacent the middle portion of said tension member.

A different ,object of my invention is a. novel form of truss side frame wherein the struts at the opposite sides of the bol/sterv opening .are of generally triangular outline with the apices of said triangles dening the junctures of the compression member with said struts and the bases of said triangles dening the junctures oi the tension member with said struts and wherein the extremities of the base of each triangle are widely spaced on opposite sides of the transverse vertical plane dened by the apex thereof.

A further object of my invention is to devise a mnovel form of side frame wherein a reinforcement is provided at the juncture of each column with the tension member in the form of a diagonal strut tapered to accommodate the usual spring grouping. 15

My invention further comprehends a novel form of integral column for a truss type side frame wherein the walls of said column are flared in both directions longitudinally of the frame to greatly increase the strength of the truss at 20 the junctures of said columns with the tension member.

My invention also contemplates a modication of the above arrangement wherein the inner web of the column extends through the top chord of 25 the tension member and is joined with the bottom chord thereof adjacent the transverse center line of the frame.

With these and various other objects in view my invention may consist of certain novel fea- 30 tures more clearly set forth in the following description and the accompanying detailed drawings attached as well as in the accompanying claims.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a side frame em- 35 bodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the side frame shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is abottom elevation 'thereof Figure 4 is a sectional view substantially in o the vertical plane bisecting the truck transversely and as indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view in a horizontal plane taken substantially as indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a further sectional view in a horizontal plane adjacent the juncture of the column with the tension member substantially as indicated by the line 6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary side elevation corre- 50 spending in general to Figure 2, but showing a modified form of my invention; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding in general to the view shown in Figure 4, but taken in the transverse vertical plane bi- 55 'sectingthemodiedstructureandsubstantially asindicatedbytheline8-8oiFlgure7.

Describing my novel structure in greater detaiLitmaybenotedthatthesideframeisoi` truss form having the com member 2 and vthe tensioni member 4 merging adjacent their ends as at i, 8 and having the integrally formed journal boxes 8, 8 of well known form, the junc ture of the journal boxes with the ends of the tension member being reinforced by the parallel gussets I8. I8. Integrally formed with the tension and compression member are the spaced co1- umns I2, I2 forming therebetween the bolster opening I4 and at either side thereof the window openings It, I8. The top chord of the tension member. between the columns is widened to iorm the spring seat Il and said spring seat portion is reinforced by the ribs 28, 28 formed on the under side thereof, said ribs merging with the side walls of the tension member as best seen in/Figure 4. The bottom chord of the tension member is cored out beneath the columns as indicated at 22, 22 and said cored openings are beaded there-around as sho at 24, 24.

'I'he pper portions of the columns have bolster guide surfaces 2l, 2i oi.' the form described in detail in my above mentioned co-pending application and of relatively great width (Figure 4), the configuration of which is best shown at 26, 2G (Figure 5), thus forming a window opening relatively narrow at the outboard side oi the frame and relatively wide at the inboard side thereof, the said columns being Iormed with aring guide surfaces therebetween. Along the upper portions of the collnnns are the integrally formed brackets 28, 28 having at their upper ends the brake hanger jaws 38, ll and supporting along their lower portions the vertical guide ilanges 32, 32 forming, with the adjacent opposed side walls of the columns. vertical channels 34, 34 for the reception of guide lugs on the associated bolster, all of said bracket structure being described in detail in my said co-pending application.

It will be noted that each of the columns I2 is of generally channel section from its upper end for about half the length thereof, having the middle web 3i, the inner nange or side walls I8 and the outer ange or side wall 4l. From about the mid-point of the column as indicated at 42 the said inner and outer flanges or side walls of the column are gradually widened and Shortly below the points I2 and as indicated at y tial distance longitudinally of the frame from 1 'the point 48 where the web of the column merges with the top` chord of. the tension member beneath the bolster opening near the transverse center line of the frame.

M, I4 the vcenter web of each column takes a diagonal course toward the middle of the frame so that the jlmcture or the side walls with the tension member as indicated at 48 is a substan- Likewise from the f point 4l the said center web 38 vof 'the column i is gradually narrowed. taking a tapered form asbestseenatinthesectionalviewof I Figure 4. 'I'his feature is further clariiled in jthesectionalviewoiFigureSwhichistaken 3 through said tapering portion and iny the sectional view of Figure 5 which is taken above said tapered portion and shows the manner in which said tapered portions merge with the spring seat as indicated al; 52,- 52 (Figure 5). Adjacent its lower end the side walls of each column are cored `outto form the openings I8, I8 (Figure 2).

To'thoseskilledintheartitwlllbeapparent character of the bottoms of the columnsr enables me to form anovel truss structure, the essentially novel i'orm oi which is indicated by the triangular dotted outlines superposed upon Figure 2 and formed. by the phantom lines: A, 15 B and C.

The strength of the frame at the juncture of each column with the tens'ionpmember is further increased by the manner in which the top chord 5I oi the tension member extends'between the zo side walls of the columns as indicated at 56 (Figure 6) and the said upper' chord oi the tension member is further continued as indicated a't 58, 58 (Figure 5) along opposite sides of the diagonal portions of the tension member, z5 ultimately to merge therewith as best seen at 60, 6l. (Figure 3). The widened spring seat portion of the tension member is also continued upwardly along the diagonal portions thereof as best seen at 6I, 6I (Figure 4).

In the lnodiiication shown in Figures 7 and 8 the structure is the same as that for the modification previously described except that the center web 36 of each column is carried diagonally through the top chord 54 of the tension member, passing through the box Section therebeneath as indicated at i4 to merge with the bottom chord o! the tension member as at 66. The tapering form or the center web is continued in the portion that extends between the top and bottom chords of the tension member as best seen in the sectional view of Figure 8.

In this modiiication it will be noted that the form of the triangular truss outline at A', B', C' diilers from the previous modication in that the lines A'- are somewhat longer than the corresponding lines A-A of the previous modiiication and the base line C'C' merges therewith in the bottom chord of the tension member.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown which are merely by way of illustration and not limitation as various and other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilledin" th'e art without departing from the spirit o! the inventionor the scope of the claims.

I claim:-

1. In a side frame for a railway car truck, a compression member, a tension member and spaced columns forming therewith a. bolster opening, brackets on the inboard faces of said columns forming therewith bolster guide channels, said tension member having a widened spring seat portion beneath said opening and diagonal end portions. eachy of said columns having a generally triangular form within. web and inboard and outboard ilanges, said anges merging with said diagonal portions, and said web having for a major portion of its length a. relatively great width as compared with the width of said members and diverging inwardly from said portion of greater width to mergewith said spring seat portion adjacent the transverse' center line of said truck.

2. A truss side frame having a compression 7s v2,222,484 v l v y ets I formed konfsaid columnss'upportlng vertical member, a tension member, and vertical columns defining a bolster opening, said tension member having diagonal end portions and a horizontal mid portion and including a box section beneath said bblster opening, each of said columns having a general U section comprising a web and inboard and outboard iianges, brackets on said inboard flanges supporting vertical guide flanges centrally thereof to form with said columns guide channels for an associated bolster, said webs having a relatively great width as compared with either of said members for a major portion of their length andr forming inwardly iiaring bolster guide surfaces, the lower portions of each column flaring longitudinally of said frame so that the flanges thereof merge with `the diagonal portions of said tension memberv and the webs "thereof merge with the vhorizontal middle portion, said webs continuing through the top cord of said box section tomerge with the` bottom chord thereof approximately atthe and a web forming a bolster guide surface of relatively great width as` compared with either of said membersY said relatively great width ex-r tending from the top thereof for a major portion of the length of the strut, guide flanges on the inboard faces of said struts centrally thereof forming with the inboard flanges of said struts guide channels for anv associated bolster guideA flange, said webs'converging along the lower portions of said struts and continuing through the top chord of said' tension' member to merge with the bottom chord thereof approximately at the' transverse center line of said frame.

4. In a. truss side frame, a compression member, a, tension member, and spaced struts forming a bolstergopening, each of said struts having a generally triangular outline with the apex of said triangle defining the juncture of said strut with the compression member and Dthe extremlties of the base thereof defining the points of mergence of said strut with said tension member at areas widely spaced on opposite sides of the transverse vertical plane defining said apex, each of said struts presenting opposed inwardly .-fiaring guide walls of relatively great width as compared with said members, said guide. walls extending vertically downwardly uninterruptedly for a major part of their length, and brackets on said struts supporting centrally thereof vertical flanges forming with the flanges of said struts guide channels for the guide flanges of an associated bolster.

5. A truss side frame having a compression member, a tension member, and spaced columns forming a bolster opening, said tension member comprising a horizontal beam of box section beneath said opening with top and bottom chords, each of said columns comprising inboard vand outboard flanges and a transverse in wardly flaring center web forming a bolster guide surface of relatively great width as compared with the width of said members, inboard brackflanges centrally thereof andforming with the inboard flanges of said columns vertical guide channels for the guide flanges voi.' y an 'associated bolster, said webs tapering'toward` each other from said widened portions in relatively narrow portions and continuing through the top chord of 'said box section tofmerge with the bottom chord thereof approximately fat. the transverse center line of said frame'.

6; A sideframe having a tension member,'a compression member,`and vertical spaced colf umns with center webs and sidewalls, each'of said side walls having a aring bottom portion whose extremities merge with said ,tension member substantial distances on oppositesldes ofthe vertical'plane defined by lfthe vertical portion oik bsaid'center web, one of f said extremities being addacent the transversefycenter plane of said frame, said center webs presenting, for amajor! portion of their length' fromk the top downwardly, opposed iwardlyflaring bolster guide faces of relatively great width ask compared with the width of said members.

7. Aside frame having a tension member," ay compression member, and vertical spaced colunins with ceter webs and vside Walls, each. of -said side walls having a flaringv bottom portion whose extremities mergewithsa'id tension meinber substantial distances @on opposite sides of the vertical plane defined by the upright portion of said center web, one of said extremitiesbeing adjacent the transverse center plane of said frame, said center webs presenting, for a major portion of their length from the top downwardly, f

opposed inwardly flaring bolster guide faces of relatively great width as comparedr with the width of said members, and brackets on thev nboard faces of said columnsv forming Aopposed vertical guide channels centrally of saidcolumns and inboard thereof for vthe reception fof guide flanges lof`an associated bolster.

8. In a truss side frame al compression meml ber, a tension memberhaving "a widened ,spring seat portion of box section "and"L diagonal end1 ation with the' guide flanges of an associated` bolster.

9. A side frame comprising a tension member with a horizontal spring seat portion of box section and diagonal ends, a compression member, and integral columns joining said members, each of said columns having diverging lower portions, one,extremity of which extends through M defined by the guide surfaces of said columns, each of said columns having centrally thereof inboard of the bolster guide surface vertical flanges forming with said columns opposed vertlcal channels for cooperation with guide anges on an associated bolster. v

10.` A truss side frame having a tension member, a compression member, and spaced columns, said tensionmember having a middle portion with top and bottom chords, said columns having center webs, the top portions of which form bolster guide surfaces of relatively great width las compared with said members and the lower portions of which taper toward each other and are continued through said top chord to merge with said bottom chord approximately in the transverse center line of said frame, and brackets formed on the inboard faces of said columns defining therewith opposed vertical channels centrally of said columns for cooperation with the guide fianges of an associated bolster.

11. In a truss side frame, a compression member, a tension member, and spaced columns forming therewith a bolster opening, said tension member having a box section beneath said opening, the juncture of each of said columns with said tension member being reinforced by diverging portions ofr said column merging with said tension member at widely spaced points on opposite sides of the vertical plane defined by the guide portions of `said columns, said guide portions having a relatively great width as compared with said members, and brackets centrally formed on the inboard faces of said columns delining therewith opposed vertical channels for cooperation with the guide flanges of an associated bolster.

r'12. In a truss side frame, a compression member, a tension member, and spaced columns having bolster guide surfaces, the juncture of each of said columns with said tension member being reinforced by diverging portions merging with said tension member at widely spaced areas on opposite sides of the plane `defined by said bolster guide surfaces, one of said `areas being adjacent the transverse center plane of said frame, and brackets formed on the inboard faces lflanges of an'associated bolster.

of said columns centrally thereof and defining with said columns opposed vertical channels for cooperation with guide flanges of an associated bolster.

13. In a truss side frame having a tension member,` a compression member and two columns merging therewith to form a bolster opening, said` tension member having a box section below said opening with top and bottom chords,

each of said columns having a generally triangular side elevation with side walls flaring adjacent their lower ends to merge with said tension member at widely spaced points, said columns presenting vertically arranged uninterrupted guide surfaces -extending vdownwardly from the tops thereof for a major portion of their length and diagonally therefrom to their points of mergence with said top chord, each ofV said guide surfaces having a relatively great width as compared with the width of said members, and brackets on the inboard faces of said columns defining therewith opposed vertical channels for cooperation with the guide flanges of an associated bolster.

14. In a Atruss side frame having a tension member, a compression member and two columns merging therewith to form a bolster opening, said tension member having a box section below said opening with top and .bottom chords, each of said columns having a generally tri- ,30

angular side elevation with side walls flaring adjacent their lower ends to merge with said.

tension member at widely spaced points, said columns presenting opposed webs of relatively great width as compared with the width of said members and forming vertically arranged uninterrupted guide surfaces extending downwardly from the tops thereof for a major portion of their length, said webs extending diagonally therefrom to theirl points of mergence with said top chord, and extending through said top chord to merge with said bottom chord adjacent each other, and brackets on said columns centrally thereof denng with said columns opposed vertical channels for cooperation with the guide DAVID M. LIGHT. 

